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2017 Detroit Lions schedule: Dave Birkett's game-by-game predictions

Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett predicts how the Detroit Lions will fare this season ... Game 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. Sept. 10: I like the Cardinals to have a bounce-back season, but the Lions should win their home opener. Pick: Lions 28, Cardinals 27

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2017 Detroit Lions schedule: Dave Birkett's game-by-game predictions

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Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett predicts how the Detroit Lions will fare this season ... Game 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. Sept. 10: I like the Cardinals to have a bounce-back season, but the Lions should win their home opener. Pick: Lions 28, Cardinals 27
Paul Sancya, AP

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Week 2 at New York Giants, 8:30 p.m. Sept. 18: This game is a toss-up, but the fact that it’s the Giants’ home opener, on Monday Night Football, leads me to believe it’ll be a Giants victory. Pick: Giants 17, Lions 13
Seth Wenig, AP

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Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. Sept. 24: The Lions were the best come-from-behind team in the NFL last year, and the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl. Naturally, this one will go down to the wire. Pick: Falcons 31, Lions 30.
Tom Pennington, Getty Images

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Week 4 at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Oct. 1: It’ll be different watching the Vikings with no Adrian Peterson this year. But Mike Zimmer’s defense still will be good enough to win games. Pick: Vikings 19, Lions 17
Duane Burleson, AP

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Week 5 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. Oct. 8: Did you see the outfit Cam Newton wore to Coachella? Let’s all band together and see if we can get Carlos Monarrez to wear it for this game. Pick: Lions 24, Panthers 16
Phelan Ebenhack, AP

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Week 9 at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m. Nov. 6: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are a good bet to win their sixth division title in seven years, and this game could help clinch it. Pick: Packers 27, Lions 20
William Glasheen, USA TODAY Spor

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Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. Nov. 12: Can’t wait for Jim Caldwell to tell everyone how dangerous the Browns are in the days leading up to this game. Pick: Lions 31, Browns 10
David Richard, AP

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Week 15 vs. Chicago, 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16: Mike Glennon is not the answer at quarterback, even if one of his five career wins came against the Lions in 2013. Pick: Lions 28, Bears 13
Terrence Antonio James, AP

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Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. Dec. 24: A road trip on Christmas
Eve might not be the easiest to get up for if the playoffs are out of reach.
Pick: Bengals 21, Lions 17
Winslow Townson, AP

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Week 17 vs. Green Bay, 1 p.m. Dec. 31: The Lions couldn’t beat the Packers at home in Week 17 last year with the division on the line. The stakes might not be as high here, but the Lions will come away victorious. Pick: Lions 24, Packers 20
Rick Osentoski, AP

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Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett predicts how the Detroit Lions will fare this season ... Game 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. Sept. 10: I like the Cardinals to have a bounce-back season, but the Lions should win their home opener. Pick: Lions 28, Cardinals 27